Sarah D. Sweeney 2

News 1906
	THREE NAMES WRITTEN ON ROSTER OF DEATH Mrs. Sarah D. Sweeney, one of the oldest and most esteemed residents of the county died yesterday afternoon at 2:15 o’clock at the family home, at Big Mine Run, aged 79 years. Mrs. Sweeney was born at Glen Laura, county of Mayo, Ireland, in 1827, and came to Pottsville in 1844, with her brother John Davitt, who established the first large [Employing?] business in the county seat. There she met and married Michael Sweeney, the ceremony being performed at St. Patrick’s church, of which congregation they were both members. They removed to Big Mine Run in 1858, and the family have continued to reside since. Mr. Sweeney first engaged in the development of the Bast Mines, but subsequently engaged in business, building the first property on Ogden Street, which they sold in 1868 to occupy the present structure on Ogden street and Centralia road. The family prospered as both Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney were endowed with industry and the business ability. When the former died in 1878, he left a comfortable competency, which included an established general store, business, and several parcels of real estate in Butler township, Girardville and Shenandoah. Mrs. Sweeney’s business interests however, were not as strong as her charitable inclinations, and the strikes that resulted so disastrously to the miners during the period covering 1875- ’87 wiped away much of the family possessions, for she was as generous as charitable, and could not refuse credit or aid to any person in want during these distressing times. The failure of the efforts of the miners and materially reduced wages received after the strikes prevented the settlement of bills she held against many, yet she never placed a bill for collection in the hands of an attorney. Those best aquainted with Mrs. Sweeney say her home life was a model, every detail of housekeeping being developed and methodically carried out. Her only relaxation in her domestic affairs was the entertainment of family visitors. While always confining herself to her own fireside, nothing delighted her more than the social gatherings that in former years frequently occurred in her home.. On every side today may be heard expressions of appreciation from those who enjoyed such hospitality at her hands, mingled with feelings of deepest regret for her demise. Mrs. Sweeney retired from business several years ago because of the infirmity of advancing age. She has been under the finest professional medical care, and has received the tenderest and most unceasing attention of the immediate members of her family for the last year. In March her ailments took an acute turn, and she gradually grew weaker until yesterday afternoon when she passed to her final reward. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom, James, William, John and Mary are dead. She is mourned by four daughters and two sons: Susan, Sarah, and Lizzie, of Big Mine Run; Mrs. Annie Mack, of Washington, D.C.; Patrick H., of Girardville, and M. J., of New York. In addition she leaves 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Funeral arrangements may be found elsewhere…[unreadable] [No date, nor news source noted]